The power supply plays a vital role in the
operation of any computer system. If the power supply is not working
properly, the computer components will be receiving the wrong voltages
and will not operate correctly. The power supply is attached to
numerous devices that rely on it for power. The power supply converts
the current coming from the wall jack from Alternating Current
(AC)
into Direct Current (DC).
 The AC coming from the wall is 120 or 240 V
(depending on the country or region) and is converted into DC +/-5 and
+/-12 V. After the current is converted from AC to DC, the power
supply provides two important functions to the computer.
- Supplies Power – The power supply is responsible for
delivering the correct amount components. All of the system components are powered by the power
supply. For example, the microprocessor, modular cards, RAM, and
drives all receive DC from the power supply.
- Acts as a Cooling Mechanism – This is the less obvious
function of the power supply.
 However, this functionality should
not be overlooked because it plays an important role in system
performance. Computer systems perform better if they are properly
ventilated and cooled. An onboard fan attached to most power
supplies cools the power supply and internal components.
Tip: When a PC randomly reboots or locks up after
running for a time, it may indicate a faulty power supply.
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